For the duration of a concert, the Juan-les-Pins Pine Grove was transformed into a nightclub. Diam’s had the crowd heated up to white hot excitement. The program included raised fists, childlike games, protests, and lots of love.
“Everybody hands in the air!” Diam’s was the DJ for the evening. With a raspy voice, backflips, smiles, and targeted outbursts, Diam’s, a woman with the manner of a tomboy, performed naturally. Wearing a wide scarlet jersey, jeans rolled up to the calves, and white sneakers, she rapped effortlessly.
Not one to get a big head, she paid tribute to her friends. “If Aïam hadn’t opened the doors, I wouldn’t be here tonight.” Playful, she clashed with her DJ and pianist, amused herself by making the audience spin, four steps to the left, four steps to the right, come on, let’s play marionettes. Diam’s has so much love to give, so much joy to convey. “In this world, there’s no more heart, only hatred. Music is prostituting itself. Only singers like me who respect you and work hard,” she yelled.
Her rap is uniquely hers—more sensitive, less aggressive, and understood by all. “I love Diam’s first because she’s a woman,” explains Amel, “but also because she’s natural, and you understand everything she says, which is important.”
Her favorite themes? Love, racism, women, the suburbs. The hit songs from her new album “Dans ma bulle” exploded in the Pine Grove like grenades. “Un mec mortel,” “La boulette,” “Par amour,” “Ma France à moi,” “Marine”… they resonated deeply with all hearts. “I support her fight,” confesses Claire. “When she sings ‘Marine,’ I want to raise my fist and fight against racism.”
Militant, Diam’s describes her France. “My France talks in SMS, works via MSN, reconciles through emails, and meets in MMS. It travels by skateboard, scooter, or fast car, Basile Boli is a legend, and Zinedine its synonym.” Her France is in Juan-les-Pins tonight. In the crowd, age, origin, and gender no longer matter. Everyone has their fist raised in protest.
True to her beliefs, Diam’s takes a brief civic break: “To arms, young people! It’s 2006. Elections are in a year. Go vote!” The crowd’s ecstasy peaks. “This is my night,” continues the sparkling mixed-race woman. “It’s lady’s night tonight!” A familiar tune rings through the hall. We then see another side of Diam’s, feminine, attractive, and playful. Surrounded by her two dancers, more charming than glamorous, she plays the femme fatale, swaying enough to sway the most skeptical. Then, defending full figures, she raps “La boulette.” Immediately, the female audience comes alive. “S D I A M D I D I A M S D I A M D I D I A M Yep big.” Owning it. Diam’s leads by example, and the ladies follow. Together, showing that one can be round and desirable.
This 25-year-old kid now amusingly imitates a basketball player, ties a towel around her neck, pretends to hit the ball, in synergy with her DJ, scores a basket. Then disappears. The audience prepares to shout “encore,” but Diam’s quickly returns: “Usually we pull the fake exit trick, but we never last long. Plus, it’s a chance to change costumes.” The change isn’t dramatic. The whole crew dons caps and continues as before. “Aren’t you tired? We’re going to wear you out then,” promises the rapper. And off they go into a wild dance.
After her boyish phase, Diam’s turns into a sharp-tongued critic. “Ten years ago, when I started, ‘Suzy’ came to see me. She said, are you Diam’s? I’m Suzy, I rap, you, you’re messing around. Well, I’d like to tell Suzy, I hope she’s rowing well in Juan-les-Pins today.” No hard feelings, Suzy, and all those who have put obstacles in the path of this steamroller named Diam’s.
The concert ends abruptly: “Juan-les-Pins, you rock!” cries Diam’s. “So much so that I’m going to take a picture of all of you for my website. Thanks to everyone, thanks to Juan, thanks to all the volunteers and to everyone who made us food.” With Diam’s, there are no pretenses. The troupe disperses and won’t return. Jeff is disappointed: “Usually I don’t like rap, but this was different. I wish the show could go on.” Beside him, Melanie agrees: “It was terrific, she always smiles and stays simple. I loved it.”
